September 19, 2006

Islam : The Right Path

Ali-Imran: 1-12

[1] In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.[2] Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds;[3] Most Gracious, Most Merciful;[4] Master of the Day of Judgment.[5] Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek,[6] Show us the straight way,[7] The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray.[8] "Our Lord!" (they say), "let not our hearts deviate now after Thou hast guided us, but grant us mercy from Thine own Presence; for Thou art the Grantor of bounties without measure.

[9] "Our Lord! Thou art He that will gather mankind together against a Day about which there is no doubt; for Allah never fails in His promise."

[10] Those who reject Faith, neither their possessions nor their (numerous) progeny will avail them aught against Allah; they are themselves but fuel for the Fire.

[11] (Their plight will be) no better than that of the people of Fir'aun, and their predecessors: they denied our Signs, and Allah called them to account for their sins. For Allah is strict in punishment.

[12] Say to those who reject Faith: "Soon will ye be vanquished and gathered together to Hell, an evil bed indeed (to lie on)!"

Ali-Imran: 18-23

[18] There is no god but He: that is the witness of Allah, His angels, and those endued with knowledge, standing firm on justice. There is no god but He the Exalted in Power, the Wise.

[19] The religion before Allah is Islam (submission to His Will): nor did the people of the Book dissent therefrom except through envy of each other, after knowledge had come to them. But if any deny the Signs of Allah, Allah is swift in calling to account.

[20] So if they dispute with thee, say: "I have submitted my whole self to Allah and so have those who follow me." And say to the People of the Book and to those who are unlearned: "Do ye (also) submit yourselves?" If they do, they are in right guidance, but if they turn back, thy duty is to convey the Message; and in Allah's sight are (all) His servants.

[21] As to those who deny the Signs of Allah, and in defiance of right, slay the Prophets, and slay those who teach just dealing with mankind, announce to them a grievous penalty.

[22] They are those whose works will bear no fruit in this world and in the Hereafter, nor will they have anyone to help.

[23] Hast thou not turned thy vision to those who have been given a portion of the Book? They are invited to the Book of Allah, to settle their dispute, but a party of them turn back and decline (the arbitration).

Ali-Imran: 62-71

[62] This is the true account; there is no god except Allah; and Allah, He is indeed the Exalted in Power, the Wise.

[63] But if they turn back, Allah hath full knowledge of those who do mischief.

[64] Say: "O People of the Book! come to common terms as between us and you: that we worship none but Allah; that we associate no partners with Him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than Allah." If then they turn back, say ye: "Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to Allah's Will)."

[65] Ye People of the Book! why dispute ye about Ibrahim, when the Law and the Gospel were not revealed till after him? Have ye no understanding?

[66] Ah! ye are those who fell to disputing (even) in matters of which ye had some knowledge! but why dispute ye in matters of which ye have no knowledge? It is Allah Who knows, and ye who know not!

[67] Ibrahim was not a Jew nor yet a Christian; but he was true in Faith, and bowed his will to Allah's (which is Islam), and he joined not gods with Allah.

[68] Without doubt, among men, the nearest of kin to Ibrahim, are those who follow him, as are also this Prophet and those who believe: and Allah is the Protector of those who have Faith.

[69] It is the wish of a section of the People of the Book to lead you astray. But they shall lead astray (not you), but themselves, and they do not perceive!

[70] Ye People of the Book! why reject ye the Signs of Allah, of which ye are (yourselves) witnesses?

[71] Ye People of the Book! why do ye clothe Truth with falsehood, and conceal the Truth, while ye have knowledge?

Ali-Imran: 78-91

[78] There is among them a section who distort the Book with their tongues: (as they read) you would think it is a part of the Book, but it is no part of the Book; and they say, "That is from Allah," but it is not from Allah: it is they who tell a lie against Allah, and (well) they know it!

[79] It is not (possible) that a man, to whom is given the Book, and Wisdom, and the Prophetic office, should say to people: "Be ye my worshippers rather than Allah's": on the contrary (he would say): "Be ye worshippers of Him Who is truly the Cherisher of all: for ye have taught the Book and ye have studied it earnestly."

[80] Nor would he instruct you to take angels and Prophets for Lords and Patrons. What! would he bid you to unbelief after ye have bowed your will (to Allah in Islam)?

[81] Behold! Allah took the Covenant of the Prophets, saying: "I give you a Book and Wisdom; then comes to you a Messenger, confirming what is with you; do you believe him and render him help." Allah said: "Do ye agree, and take this my Covenant as binding on you?" They said: "We agree." He said: "Then bear witness, and I am with you among the witnesses."

[82] If any turn back after this, they are perverted transgressors.

[83] Do they seek for other than the religion of Allah? While all creatures in the heavens and on earth have, willing or unwilling, bowed to His Will (accepted Islam), and to Him shall they all be brought back.

[84] Say: "We believe in Allah, and in what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to Ibrahim, Isma'il, Ishaq, Ya'qub, and the Tribes, and in (the Books) given to Musa, 'Isa, and the Prophets, from their Lord: we make no distinction between one and another among them, and to Allah do we bow our will (in Islam)."

[85] If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah), never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (all spiritual good).

[86] How shall Allah guide those who reject Faith after they accepted it and bore witness that the Messenger was true and that Clear Signs had come unto them? But Allah guides not a people unjust.

[87] Of such the reward is that on them (rests) the curse of Allah, of His angels, and of all mankind.

[88] In that will they dwell; nor will their penalty be lightened, nor respite be their (lot).

[89] Except for those that repent (even) after that, and make amends; for verily Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

[90] But those who reject Faith after they accepted it, and then go on adding to their defiance of Faith, never will their repentance be accepted; for they are those who have (of set purpose) gone astray.

[91] As to those who reject Faith, and die rejecting, never would be accepted from any such as much gold as the earth contains, though they should offer it for ransom. For such is (in store) a penalty grievous, and they will find no helpers.

Ali-Imran: 98-110

[98] Say: "O People of the Book! why reject ye the Signs of Allah, when Allah is Himself witness to all ye do?"

[99] Say: "O ye People of the Book! why obstruct ye those who believe, from the path of Allah, seeking to make it crooked, while ye were yourselves witnesses (to Allah's Covenant)? But Allah is not unmindful of all that ye do."

[100] O ye who believe! if ye listen to a faction among the People of the Book, they would (indeed) render you apostates after ye have believed!

[101] And how would ye deny Faith while unto you are rehearsed the Signs of Allah, and among you lives the Messenger? Whoever holds firmly to Allah will be shown a Way that is straight.

[102] O ye who believe! fear Allah as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islam.

[103] And hold fast, all together, by the Rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude Allah's favour on you; for ye were enemies and He joined your hearts in love, so that by His Grace, ye became brethren; and ye were on the brink of the Pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus doth Allah make His Signs clear to you: that ye may be guided.

[104] Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong: they are the ones to attain felicity.

[105] Be not like those who are divided amongst themselves and fall into disputations after receiving Clear Signs: for them is a dreadful Penalty.

[106] On the Day when some faces will be (lit up with) white, and some faces will be (in the gloom of) black: to those whose faces will be black, (will be said): "Did ye reject Faith after accepting it? Taste then the Penalty for rejecting Faith."

[107] But those whose faces will be (lit with) white, they will be in (the Light of) Allah's mercy; therein to dwell (forever).

[108] These are the Signs of Allah: We rehearse them to thee in Truth; and Allah means no injustice to any of His creatures.

[109] To Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth; to Him do all questions go back (for decision).

[110] Ye are the best of Peoples, evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in Allah. If only the People of the Book had Faith, it were best for them: among them are some who have Faith, but most of them are perverted transgressors.

Ali-Imran: 118-122

[118] O ye who believe! take not into your intimacy those outside your ranks: they will not fail to corrupt you. They only desire your ruin: rank hatred has already appeared from their mouths: what their hearts conceal is far worse. We have made plain to you the Signs, if ye have wisdom.

[119] Ah! ye are those who love them, but they love you not, though ye believe in the whole of the Book, when they meet you, they say, "We believe": but when they are alone, they bite off the very tips of their fingers at you in their rage. Say: "Perish in your rage; Allah knoweth well all the secrets of the heart."

[120] If aught that is good befalls you, it grieves them; but if some misfortune overtakes you, they rejoice at it. But if ye are constant and do right, not the least harm will their cunning do to you; for Allah compasseth round about all that they do.

[121] Remember that morning thou didst leave thy household (early) to post the Faithful at their stations for battle; and Allah heareth and knoweth all things:

[122] Remember two of your parties meditated cowardice; but Allah was their protector, and in Allah should the Faithful (ever) put their trust.